Zip Line Brake

ABSTRACT

A portable zip line emergency brake system intended to stop or slow down a zip liner (or load) on a cable while giving the control to the device user or operator on the opposite end of the zip line. As an out of control rider comes down the zip line the operator will lock the device onto the cable and roll it out onto the the zip line using a combination of sending force by the operator and gravity to meet the riders pulley. The device is adjustable for different riders estimated weights. Once the riders pulley comes in contact with this device far out on the cable it will use a lever camming action between two brake pads on the cable as it reverses direction. As the brake is engaged it will stop or slow the rider. The operator can then pull them to the end safely.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Technical Field

Exemplary embodiments relate to a device that will control the braking of the zip line rider by the operator or guide

Background of the Art

Zip Line Company's need a way to slow down, stop or control a rider from coming into the landing zone too fast or out of control. This will allow the guide/operator control of the riders speed and safety.

Presently there is no solution for a portable device or method that will allow the guide/operator the control of the rider.

The present art seeks to provide a portable solution to these problems by providing a device that will control the rider before the end of the zip line line if needed by the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The brake will work in two ways: either by allowing it to roll to the rider, or by attachment to the zip line. As the rider comes down the zip line with their pulley on the line, their pulley will come in contact with the brake attached to the zip line cable, and the brake will slow them down to a safe speed.

The brake will consist of a pulley(s) inside a carriage or frame. Attached to the carriage there will be three parts. The first is a fixed pad. The second is the hinged lever. The third is a spring load or weighted hinged lever that will pinch the cable between the fixed pad and rotating pad as the cable slides through the carriage/frame.

Preferably this device has pads that will be using a camming action to grab the cable after it has been run into by the rider with their pulley. These pads will decrease the space between them as the pads come together to stop or slow the rider down to a safe speed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

There are 1 figures in the accompanying drawing wherein identical reference numbers correspond to better understand the exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1. Carriage/shell

FIG. 2. Spring Weighted Lever

FIG. 3. Pulley Wheel

FIG. 4. Upper Frame Plate

FIG. 5. Lower Frame Plate

FIG. 6. Gate

FIG. 7. Upper Brake Plate

FIG. 8. Brake Fastener

FIG. 9. Lower Brake Plate

FIG. 10. Frame Plate Fastener

FIG. 11. Gate Pin

FIG. 12. Lift Pin

FIG. 13. Carriage to rider pulley hook

FIG. 14. Pin lever rider weight adjuster

FIG. 15. Gate Lock

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1: The frame can be 3d printed, milled or welded

FIG. 2: The spring weighted lever works as a camming action

FIG. 3: The pulley allows for a smooth roll

FIG. 4: The upper carriage plate is fastened to the frame

FIG. 5: The lower carriage plate is fastened to the frame

FIG. 6: The gate allows the cable to enter and exit the frame

FIG. 7. The upper brake plate is the medium to allow the upper brake pad a means to attach to the frame

FIG. 8. The fastener allows the upper and lower brake pads to adhere to the frame

FIG. 9. The lower brake plate is the medium to allow the lower brake pad a means to attach to the frame

FIG. 10. The fasteners hold the plates, lever, pulley and gate tot he shell

FIG. 11. The gate pin allows the gate to open and close

FIG. 12. The lift pin allows for easier opening and closing of the lever

FIG. 13. The carriage and pulley hook will insert into the hole. It will connect to the riders pulley to be able to pull them to the end point of the zip line.

FIG. 14. The pin weight adjuster will set the lever position for the riders weight and control them safely.

FIG. 15. The gate lock will lock the gate the gate so the cable will not exit without permission

As used in the term “Brake Pad” is any device which converts the kinetic energy of the operators brake to thermal energy by friction. The brake pads can be made out of any of the following materials: Ceramic, synthetic and non synthetic compounds, fibers, rubber, plastics, and combination of these.

Having shown and described this embodiment there maybe many ways to modify variations of this brake system within the scope of the claimed invention. Additionally many of the clams above may be altered or replaced by different elements which will provide the same result for the operator as the user. It is the intention therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims. 

I claim:
 1. A Braking device for a zipline operator that consists within a frame that engages the cable using a camming motion that once activated puts pressure on the cable in order to slow down or stop the speed of the rider
 2. The operator brake of claim 1 comprised of and within frame
 3. The operator brake lever of claim 1 is within the frame and engages the cable using a camming action
 4. The operator brake lever of claim 3 has a brake pad attached to it
 5. The operator brake of claim 4 is a rubber or synthetic material fastened to the lever.
 6. The operator brake of claim 1 has a brake fastened to it so the brake lever of claim 4 can create a camming motion and friction for the cable
 7. The operator brake of claim 1 consists of a pulley to roll on the cable
 8. The operator brake of claim 1 has a gate
 9. The operator brake of claim 7 has a gate that can be locked
 10. The operator brake of claim 3 has a pin weight adjuster on the lever to control the lever for the riders weight
 11. The operator brake of claim 1 has a tapped hole for a hook to attach to the pulley for easy retrieval of the brake and rider
 12. The operator brake of claim 3 has a pin to open and manage the lever
 13. The operator brake of claim 1 is fastened together with an upper plate, lower plate, gate lock, lever and pulley with fasteners.
 14. The operator brake of claim 1 has a hole in for the attachment point.
 15. The operator brake of claim 1 can have a bluetooth actuator to use remotely on claim 3
 16. The operator brake of claim 3 uses a spring or weighted lever to engage the camming action
 17. A brake that an operator engages that once impacted will slow or stop the rider while nearing the end of the zip line if needed by the discretion of the operator. 